LB Jabril McNeill (6-4 225) of Raleigh is another top target for USC in North Carolina. And the Gamecocks have put themselves in the thick of things with him competing with offers from NC State, where his brother plays, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Wake Forest, East Carolina, Louisville, Michigan State, Missouri, Washington, Oregon and others. The Gamecocks have built a solid relationship with McNeill at this point.
“I hear from them every day, they are still recruiting me hard and want me to come down,” McNeill said. “When I went on my visit, there was a lot I learned and I liked it. I’ve been talking with Coach (Kyle) Krantz, Coach (Tracy) Rocker and Coach (Drew Hughes). And I hear from Coach Muschamp. He texts me every day.”
And what McNeill is hearing from the Gamecocks, he likes.
“They talk about how they love me and how they would use me as an outside and inside backer,” McNeill said. “They said that whatever defense is put in I can be moved to different positions. I can go one play outside backer blitz the edge, and next play I’m an inside backer and I’m making the tackle in the hole. They show love every day, great coaching staff and it’s a great atmosphere. I went down there for a spring game and it was good. It was a crazy atmosphere. They always show love and that’s something I look for.”
From his other offers, McNeill said he also hears a lot from Oregon, NC State, Washington, Oklahoma and West Virginia. He has not formulated a short list and is in no rush on a decision.
“I’m going to be praying it out with my mom and dad,” McNeill said. “They want me to commit late because they think I have a lot of potential to get offers from like really high schools. They want me to wait it out to see how many more options I’ll have to pick from.”
But as more options roll in, it’s apparent USC will be in the mix until a decision is made.
“They are going to be up there,” McNeill said. “One of the first schools to show me love. The first SEC school to offer me. It was my third offer, so South Carolina is definitely up there and we’ll have to see what happens.”
Of course, having a brother at NC State, and living it Raleigh, it would be simple for McNeill and his family if he chose the Wolfpack. But it’s not that simple.
“It would be convenient but that’s not really a priority for me,” McNeill said. “It would be cool now, but I want to make the decision for me, not just because goes my brother goes to a school.”
McNeill is ranked #35 nationally among outside linebackers in the 247Sports Composite, and the #30 prospect in North Carolina. He’s coming off a junior season of 145 tackles with 21 quarterback hurries and 5 sacks.
